Pay Just R11.55 per Litre? How South Africa’s Best Bank Fuel Rewards Can Slash Petrol Costs

How loyalty points and cashback can save cash-strapped households

With petrol prices hovering above R21 per litre in inland regions, many South Africans are looking for every possible way to stretch their rand. For bank customers, the solution could be in their wallets, literally. Several major banks in 2025 are offering fuel rewards that, when used wisely, can significantly reduce the price of petrol.

Standard Bank: The top-tier fuel deal

Standard Bank leads the pack for customers on its UCount Tier 5. Using credit cards to fill up at Astron Energy or Caltex, customers can earn up to R10 back per litre in points. At current inland petrol prices of R21.55, this means an effective price of just R11.55 per litre if UCount points are redeemed against everyday expenses.

Even customers on the lowest tier still earn R0.60 per litre, enough to cover about R27 on a typical hatchback’s tank. Debit and cheque card users earn less, between R0.10 and R1 per litre, but it’s still a welcome bonus.

FNB: Fuel savings for Premier and Private account holders

FNB offers another attractive option. Customers filling up at Engen stations with Premier or Private credit cards can earn up to R8 per litre in eBucks, potentially reducing the petrol price to R13.55 per litre.

Additional perks include:

• R2 extra per litre if the customer finances a car through Wesbank

• R2 extra per litre if the car is insured with FNB Insurance

For FNB Aspire account holders, a base rate of R0.60 per litre is available, with small boosts for financed or insured vehicles.

Absa: Cashback rather than points

Absa Rewards stands out by offering cashback instead of points, which some users prefer for flexibility. Customers filling up at Sasol stations can earn up to 30% back, effectively paying R15.08 per litre at maximum rewards. Lower-tier customers, however, receive between 0.2% and 6.25%, highlighting the gap between entry-level and premium rewards.

Discovery Bank and other options

Discovery Bank members in the Vitality rewards programme earn up to 20% back at BP and Shell, with additional Miles for responsible driving if insured with Discovery Insure. Monthly caps apply at R1,500 in rewards.

Nedbank and Capitec offer more modest, flat-rate rewards of R0.25 and R0.20 per litre, respectively, without tiering systems or monthly limits.

Choosing the right rewards strategy

Savvy customers are using these rewards strategically: stacking credit card spend, linking car finance or insurance, and redeeming points against daily expenses. Social media is abuzz with users sharing hacks to bring the effective petrol price down by 40–50%.

One Twitter user wrote: “Filled up at Caltex using Standard Bank Tier 5, paid R11.60 per litre! Petrol prices feel less painful now.”

While the rewards may not fully shield households from rising fuel costs, they offer a real opportunity for savings, especially for frequent drivers and families relying on private transport.

For South Africans navigating high fuel prices in 2025, bank fuel rewards aren’t just a perk, they’re a lifeline. Whether it’s Standard Bank’s deep discounts, FNB’s eBucks boost, or Absa’s cashback, understanding the nuances of each programme can save hundreds of rands per month at the pump.

{Source: My Broad Band}

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